Waterford Precision Cycles 2000 RS-22/Ultegra

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Tullios Big Dog Cycl

Favorite Ride:
Bluff Road, Columbia, IL

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 brakes/derailleurs, Sugino XD triple crank (46/36/24), Mavic Cosmos wheelset, Michelin Axial Pro 700X23 tires,
Ideale 90 leather saddle, Vetta RT77 cordless computer.

Summary:
Heron was a brand name originally marketed and sold through Rivendell Bicycle Works. The name and company was recently sold to Todd Kuzma, owner of Tullios Big Dog Cyclery in LaSalle, Illinois.

Strengths:
Heron has contracted with Waterford Precision Cycles to build the frames. The frames are lugged and silver brazed in batches. Reynolds and True Temper tubing is used. I've owned 10 road bikes in the past 25 years and nothing compares to a well made steel frame, in terms of an optimum balance between comfort and efficiency. Probably the only material that rivals steel is titanium, but at a significantly higher cost.

Weaknesses:
The frames come in standard sizes and geometries. No custom sizing is done.
For more information, logon to:
http://www.heronbicycles.com/

Similar Products Used:
'99 Schwinn Circuit (Reynolds 853 mainframe)
'92 Tommasini Super Prestige (Columbus SLX throughout)

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at Back Bay Bicycle

Favorite Ride:
Tour de Cure, Acadia National Park

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra with the exception of DuraAce crank (so I could get the 177.5mm crank length), cassette and bottom brackett, Mavic Kysrium SSL wheels (awesome!), Salsa seat post, stem and bar, Ritchey headset, Sella Ti Flight saddle, Cinneli cork bar tape

Summary:
Though I only have a 100 miles on it to date, this bike has lived up to all of the hype and expectations I had while shopping around (and I test rode 10 different models). The first thing I noticed about this bike is the level of craftsmanship. The lug brazing and the paint job (mine is candy red with 'classic' silver metallic panels on the seat & down tubes) are like artwork. These things really stand out when you compare them to mass-produced frames. I am a big strong rider at 215 lbs and find the frame is plenty stiff laterally (i.e. no rear triangle or bottom bracket flex noted) yet the ride is so smooth (as compared to my old aluminum GT) that I know that 50-100 mile rides are going to be cake from a comfort standpoint. Credit the Reynolds 853 tubing and OS platinum rear triangle for the compliant ride. I believe that Waterford has made custom fitting a standard item and to me it made all of the difference having a slightly steeper seat tube angle (1 deg) and slightly extended head tube (2 cm). The bike is amazingly stable on fast descents or hammering on a town line sprint yet the steering response at slow speeds and on switchback terrain is lively but not twitchy like some race bikes I demoed. The geometries (notwithstanding my custom changes) are along the lines of classic Italian steel road bikes. This bike is not for the racer or the rider who wants the latest fads (e.g. carbon stays, sloping downtubes, sub-3lb frames); however, if you're looking for a road bike with state of the art tubing, timeless design, incredible attention to detail & flawless craftsmanship you will not find a better ride anywhere!

Strengths:
Amazing craftsmanship, outstanding frame (exceptionally compliant ride yet plenty stiff), gorgeous paint job, custom sizing, attention to detail (pump peg, rack braze ons, rear brake cable location, chain hanger are all available otions), the satisfaction of owning a bike that was built specifically for you!

Weaknesses:
None that I've found (other than the cost) but craftsmanship & quality at this level will cost you and I have no regrets.

Similar Products Used:
GT ZR-5000, Trek 1200, Cannondale RS-600, Specialized (cna't remember the model), and several others.

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Electric Dan - Missi

Bike Setup:
All Shimano Ultegra. Used Trek Gel saddle for comfort.

Summary:
I have just gotten this bike and have now ridden it several times. It rides extremely smooth and tracks like a gyroscope. It is a real pleasure to ride this bike. My prior bike had more scrunched up racing angles and to be honest, for the fitness riding i am doing now, this is an extremely pleasurable bike to ride. The finish is exquisite. They painted it exactly to my specifications. Electric Dan was the representative and I would highly recommend him to anyone living in the Southern Cal area. He was very detail oriented and delivered. He built the bike with quality components all the way through. Great bike and worth the money.

Strengths:
Fit, finish, tracking all great

Weaknesses:
This frame style because of it's more relaxed angles is perhaps not quite as responsive as a racing frame (checkout their 2200).

Similar Products Used:
I have ridden over my life Motobecane, Puegot, UniVega. This is my first custom bike. There is no comparison to an off the shelf model.

Favorite Ride:
Too many to choose

Bike Setup:
Ultegra triple

Summary:
I have a 2200 on order (7/25/00 or so delivery date). In the meantime, the LBS owner is letting me use the RS-22 he has built to promote Waterford at No Cal century rides. He hasn't even ridden the bike yet, I am putting the first miles on it. The frame is beautiful and features the stainless lug option. I wish I had $500 to spend for these on my new bike because the workmanship is beautiful. His frame is painted black with holographic flames and this paint job is a little funky for my taste.

I took the bike for a 40 mile ride this morning. Despite the 425mm stays, the frame is stiff when built with 853 tubing. Thanks to the triple, I didn't need to do the stand and sit drill on the main hill (4 miles, 9% average grade with 20% sections) that I climbed on the ride. The bike was solid when I did a couple of sprints and I never felt any flex in the rear end. I let it go down the hills and the bike was so stable that I never had to touch the brakes.

This is not a frame that I would choose for myself. However, for what it is meant to be, this bike performs flawlessly and it is a really sweet ride. I can't wait to get my 2200.

Strengths:
- Stiff Reynolds 853 tubing
- Beautiful Craftsmanship
- Light for steel
- Stainless lug option

Weaknesses:
- Long stays
- Funky paint job on this particular bike

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Veloce, Waterford 2200